Wat Phra Kaew

After breakfast we begin an unforgettable day trip to the main historical highlights of Bangkok.

Visit Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, the Buddhist complex built in the 17th century, one of the country’s most important historical landmarks for its impressive central Prang encrusted with colourful porcelain.

Afterwards, we cross the Chao Phraya River by ferry and proceed to Wat Pho, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the religious complex housing Thailand’s largest collection of Buddha images, including the 46-metre-long Reclining Buddha statue. It is considered the earliest centre for public education and houses the School of Thai Medicine and the School of Traditional Thai Massage.

Our tour continues with the visit to the Grand Palace, the building complex at the heart of the capital, official residence of the monarchs of the Kingdom of Siam since 1782, followed by the Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Built in 1783 within the perimeter of the Grand Palace, it is considered the most sacred Buddhist temple in the country. Nearby we pay a visit to Tha Phrachan’s Amulet Market, one of the largest and most important amulet markets in Thailand.

In the afternoon we transfer by ferry to a less touristic area in Thonburi to visit the Temple of Sacred Bells Wat Rakhang  built during Ayutthaya period. We end the day in a total local style at Wang Lang market, know for the delicious street food.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, boats, tickets and private transportation 

This morning is free for you to explore Bangkok further.

Afterwards, we head to the airport to catch the domestic flight to Udon Thani, one of the main cities in the Isan area. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation

The Red Lotus Sea

Early in the morning we visit the extraordinary The Red Lotus Sea, one of the world’s strangest freshwater lakes, home to a wide variety of bird and fish species. As the name suggests, the lake has a breath-taking view of lotus flowers stretching in the distance.

It is the main attraction of the area yet still unknown to foreign tourists and is recommended to visit it from November to February. Some Buddhist monks live in the temple on the island, located in the middle of the lake.

We continue to Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, one of four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Thailand. It is considered the most important prehistoric settlement discovered so far in south-east Asia. It marks an important stage in human cultural, social and technological evolution and shows evidence of agriculture in the region dating back more than 3,500 years.

Afterwards we visit Na Kha Silk Village and Handicraft Center before heading back to the hotel.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

Phu Phra Bat © Theppitak Karoonboonyanan – CC BY-SA 2.0

In the morning we head to Udon Sunshine, a local farm known for its beautiful orchids, one of the few used to make perfume, as well as for dancing tea plants that move, or dance, to the sound of music.

Later, we continue to Phu Phra Bat Historical Park, unique for its unusual rock formations, prehistoric cave paintings and numerous thousand-year-old religious shrines, parts of ancient Buddhist temples. The park’s most significant shrine is Wat Phra Putthabaht Bua Bok, home to a sandstone rock believed to be a footprint of Buddha.

Visit the recently built Wat Pa Phu Kon, built in 2010 to be a peaceful sanctuary for monks and lay people and to preserve the water source, wildlife and plants in the Na Yung-Nam Som National Park Forest. One of the most remarkable features of the temple is a 65-foot-long statue of a reclining Buddha. Afterwards transfer to Chiang Khan.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation

Chiang khan – CC0 1.0

Founded in the late 19th century, Chiang Khan village is known for its charming atmosphere of wooden dwellings, cultural heritage and local traditions, including a deep respect for the elderly and the preservation of Buddhist practice.

In the past, it was populated by migrants from Vietnam and China and Laotian villagers. Due to its location on the river, Chiang Khan became an important trading hub where people on both sides of the rivers exchanged goods, culture, and language.

Attend the ‘sticky rice almsgiving ceremony‘, an ancient daily practice that has been going on for about 2500 years.

Visit Phra Phutthabat Phu Khwai Ngoen, according to folklore the Lord Buddha gave a sermon to a beautiful human-eating ogress who lured men as her prey. We continue to the local mango farm where we learn how to plant and grow and then taste the delicious green mango salad.

Afterwards we take a boat trip on the Mekong River to enjoy the stunning landscape of Thailand and Laos along the riverside.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets, boat and private transportation

Phu Tok © Erwannjacquin – CC BY-SA 4.0

We spend the morning enjoying the beautiful nature of Loei province and discovering the unique lifestyle and culture.

Visit the Tai Dam Cultural Museum and Village to learn about the traditions of the Thai Dum ethnic group whose ancestors emigrated from Laos in 1905. Visitors can observe the process of traditional weaving being demonstrated and buy local products.

We continue to Phu Thok (or ‘lonely mountain’), the 359-metre isolated hill, Suan Hin Pha Ngam (or ‘beautiful rock garden’) and Phu Pa Poh, also known as the ‘Mount Fuji of Thailand’.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

Phra That Si Song Rak

In the morning we continue to Dan Sai, a small district in Loei province known for the Phi Ta Khon Festival, or ‘ghost festival‘, held every year in June.

The district is also worth visiting at other times of the year. At Wat Phon Chai “Temple of Phi Ta Khon” and its Phi Ta Khon Museum we can learn about the festival and the manufacture of masks.

During the celebrations, the local villagers ask Phra U-pakut, the spirit of the Mun River, for protection. They then hold a series of games and take part in a procession wearing masks made of sheaths or the underside of thick palm leaf stems.

Afterwards we continue to Phu Ruea National Park, Wat Neramit Vipassana (Red Laterite Temple), and Phra That Si Song Rak (The Stupa in Honour of two Loves)

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation

The City Pillar Shrine © DerFussi – CC BY-SA 3.0

After breakfast we head to The City Pillar and Chaopho Kut Pong Shrine, the sacred shrines of people as it is believed that angels live here. Many animal statues have been donated to the shrine alongside images of Buddha and Phra Sankchan which brings good luck and happiness.

Afterwards we drive to Loei airport in time for the domestic flight to Krabi, on the west coast of southern Thailand, popular for its dense mangrove forests and more than a hundred offshore islands.

Welcome meeting by our staff at Krabi airport and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

Krabi

Free day at the beach at your own pace.

Included : Hotel and breakfast

Krabi

Free day at the beach at your own pace.

Included : Hotel and breakfast

Krabi

Free day at the beach at your own pace.

Included : Hotel and breakfast

Transfer to Krabi airport in time for the domestic flight to Bangkok

Included : Breakfast and private transfer to the airport